Objective To understand the instrument distribution and capacities of inter-laboratory comparisons among occupational medical examination (OME) institutions in Guangdong Province. Methods A total of 291 OME institutions in Guangdong Province that were within the validity period of filing in June 2024 and 101 OME institutions that participated in inter-laboratory comparisons in 2023 were selected as the study subjects. Their filing categories, instrument distribution and external quality assessment in laboratories were collected and analyzed. Results The location of 291 OME institutions distributed in 21 prefectural-level cities in the province, mainly in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, accounting for 68.4% of the total. The public hospitals, private medical institutions, the center for disease control and prevention and occupational disease prevention and treatment institutions (hereinafter referred to as "occupational prevention institutions") accounted for 61.2%, 28.5% and 10.3%, respectively. The filing rates for physical factors, chemical factors, and dust categories among OME institutions were 91.1%, 86.9%, and 86.6%, respectively. The average number of institutional instruments, from high to low, was 53.8, 38.8 and 38.2 per unit in occupational prevention institutions, private medical institutions and public hospitals, respectively. The passing rates of inter-laboratory comparisons among OME institutions of external quality assessment in laboratories among OME institutes in Guangdong Province, from high to low were occupational prevention institutions, public hospitals and private medical institutions (96.2% vs 86.8% vs 73.0%, P<0.05). Conclusion The regional distribution of OME institutes in Guangdong Province is unbalanced, mainly concentrated in the PRD region. Low overall level of OME capacity is found in public hospitals and private medical institutions. Leading by the occupational prevention institutions, public hospitals and private medical institutions should strengthen the development and investment in OME hardware, in order to improve the OME level.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of aggressive angiomyxoma(AAM).Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed AAM and 3 with recurrent AAM confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled,and the ultrasonic manifestations were analyzed.Results Among 7 cases of AAM,the lesions located in subcutaneous regions of perineum in 3 cases,in both perineum and pelvic cavity in 2 cases,in pelvic cavity and in cervix each 1 case,with a median maximum diameter of 7.6 cm.The lesions mainly manifested as heterogeneous hypoechoic,scattered cord-like moderate/moderate-hyperechoic inside,regular or lobulated shape with finger-like protrusions,with clear boundary or unclear boundary with adjacent vagina/rectum.Layered structure could be observed with gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI.Conclusion AAM mainly affected pelvis and perineal region,often manifested as large lesion tended to infiltrate surrounding areas and form finger-like protrusions,most with clear boundaries and interior heterogeneous hypoechoic regions,also the characteristic stratified structures.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of aggressive angiomyxoma(AAM).Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed AAM and 3 with recurrent AAM confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled,and the ultrasonic manifestations were analyzed.Results Among 7 cases of AAM,the lesions located in subcutaneous regions of perineum in 3 cases,in both perineum and pelvic cavity in 2 cases,in pelvic cavity and in cervix each 1 case,with a median maximum diameter of 7.6 cm.The lesions mainly manifested as heterogeneous hypoechoic,scattered cord-like moderate/moderate-hyperechoic inside,regular or lobulated shape with finger-like protrusions,with clear boundary or unclear boundary with adjacent vagina/rectum.Layered structure could be observed with gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI.Conclusion AAM mainly affected pelvis and perineal region,often manifested as large lesion tended to infiltrate surrounding areas and form finger-like protrusions,most with clear boundaries and interior heterogeneous hypoechoic regions,also the characteristic stratified structures.

Objective To observe the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for evaluating blood supply pattern of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Methods A total of 210 single PDAC patients proved by pathology who underwent CEUS and contrast enhanced CT(CECT)examination were retrospectively enrolled.Blood supply patterns of PDAC,i.e.deficient or rich blood supply were evaluated based on findings of CEUS 25 s(CEUS-25 s)and 35 s(CEUS-35 s)after contrast agents injection and CECT,respectively.The evaluation results were compared among different methods.Disease free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of patients with deficient and rich blood supply PDAC shown on CEUS-25 s were followed up and compared.Results CEUS-25 s found 60.00％(126/210)PDAC with deficient blood supply(poor blood supply group),while 40.00％(84/210)with rich blood supply(rich blood supply group).CEUS-35 s showed that the proportion deficient blood supply PDAC increased to 70.48％(148/210,P＜0.05),22 lesions changed from rich blood supply pattern on CEUS-25 s to deficient blood supply pattern.CECT displayed deficient blood supply in 91.90％(193/210)PDAC but rich blood supply in 8.10％(17/210)PDAC,both being significant different compared with results of CEUS-25 s and CEUS-35 s(both P＜0.05).Fifteen-five cases in deficient blood supply group and 39 in rich blood supply group completed 12(8,25)months'follow-up,and the median DFS of patients in deficient blood supply group and rich blood supply group was 8(6,10)and 12(7,17)months,respectively,with the median OS of 14(9,17)and 19(16,24)months,respectively.The median DFS and OS in poor blood supply group were both shorter than those in rich blood supply group(x2=17.227,27.166,both P＜0.001).Conclusion CEUS had important clinical value for evaluating blood supply pattern of PDAC.

ObjectiveTo establish a managing mode for illegal and irregular acts of occupational medical examination (OME) institutions to the requirements of the new situation. Methods The OME institutions from the “Guangdong Province Key Occupational Disease Monitoring and Management Platform” were selected as the study subjects using the judgment sampling method. The clues of suspected illegal and irregular acts of OME institutions were found and submitted to the local health commission for investigation and managed according to the case information monitoring and on-site quality assessment. The OME institutions found to have illegal and irregular acts were filed and investigated according to the national law after investigation and verification. A “follow-up inspection” was conducted on five OME institutions for closed loop management. Results A total of 12 OME institutions were found to have suspected illegal and irregular acts, including seven institutions that did not meet the filing requirements for effective personnel, five institutions that conducted projects beyond the scope without filing to the provincial health authorities within 15 work days from the start of the project, and two institutions that failed to fulfill the obligation of informing and reporting to the health authorities, employers, and workers as required. After submitting relevant clues and evidence to the local health commission for investigation and management, seven institutions were not given penalty, and five institutions were given administrative penalties including two institutions were fined and warned, and three institutions were warned. No illegal or irregular acts were found in the five institutions inspected during the “follow-up inspection”. Conclusion It is beneficial to explore the managing mode of “clue discovery, clue submission, investigation and disposal, follow-up inspection” for OME institutions suspected of illegal and irregular acts, which helps urge OME institutions to work in accordance with laws and regulations and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers' occupational health.

Objective To summarize and analyze the preliminary clinical outcomes of the KokaclipTM transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair system for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). Methods This study was a single-arm, prospective, single-group target value clinical trial that enrolled patients who underwent the KokaclipTM transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system for DMR in the Department of Heart Surgery of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute from June 2022 to January 2023. Differences in the grade of mitral regurgitation (MR) during the perioperative and follow-up periods were compared, and the incidences of adverse events such as all-cause death, thoracotomy conversion, reoperation, and severe recurrence of MR during the study period were investigated. Results The enrolled patient population consisted of 14 (50.0%) females with a mean age of 70.9±5.4 years. Twenty-eight (100.0%) patients were preoperatively diagnosed with typeⅡ DMR, with a prolapse width of 12.5 (11.0, 16.1) mm, a degree of regurgitation 4+ leading to pulmonary venous reflux, and a New York Heart Association cardiac function class≥Ⅲ. All patients completed the TEER procedure successfully, with immediate postoperative improvement of MR to 0, 1+, and 2+ grade in 2 (7.1%), 21 (75.0%), and 5 (17.9%) patients, respectively. Mitral valve gradient was 2.5 (2.0, 3.0) mm Hg. Deaths, thoracotomy conversion, or device complications such as unileaflet clamping, clip dislodgement, or leaflet injury were negative. Twenty-eight (100.0%) patients completed at least 3-month postoperative follow-up with a median follow-up time of 5.9 (3.6, 6.8) months, during which patients had a mean MR grade of 1.0+ (1.0+, 2.0+) grade and a significant improvement from preoperative values (P<0.001). There was no recurrence of ≥3+ regurgitation, pulmonary venous reflux, reoperation, new-onset mitral stenosis, or major adverse cardiovascular events. Twenty-two (78.6%) patients’ cardiac function improved to classⅠorⅡ. Conclusion The domestic KokaclipTM TEER system has shown excellent preliminary clinical results in selected DMR patients with a high safety profile and significant improvement in MR. Additional large sample volume, prospective, multicenter studies, and long-term follow-up are expected to validate the effectiveness of this system in the future.

Objective: To investigate the levels of cytidine/uridine monophosphate kinase 2(CMPK2) expression in CD4+T cells of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients and its correlation with clinical indicators. Additionally, to explore whether CMPK2 can induce pyroptosis in CD4+T cells of SLE patients through NLRP3, potentially providing a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Methods: RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses were used to assess the gene and protein expression levels of CMPK2 in SLE CD4+T cells and healthy controls(HC). Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between CMPK2 mRNA expression levels and clinical indicators. Subsequently, the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins, including NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC), caspase-1, gasdermin D(GSDMD), and the N-terminal domain of GSDMD(GSDMD-N), were examined in SLE CD4+T cells and HC. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N were detected after silencingCMPK2in SLE CD4+T cells. Results: CMPK2 expression was significantly elevated in SLE CD4+T cells, exhibiting a positive correlation with SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI), anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-nucleosome antibody, anti-C1q antibody, and a negative correlation with complement C3 and C4 levels. Additionally, the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins, including NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N significantly increased in SLE CD4+T cells(P<0.05), Moreover, the levels of cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in the cell culture supernatants were elevated, and there was a notable increase in the rate of cellular pyroptosis(P<0.05). Silencing CMPK2 led to a reduction in the levels of these markers(P<0.05). Conclusion CMPK2 is highly expressed in SLE CD4+T cells and may serve as a diagnostic marker for SLE. Moreover, it is likely involved in the pathogenesis of SLE by promoting CD4+T cell pyroptosis through NLRP3.

Objective To analyze the problems found in the on-site quality assessment of occupational medical examination (OME) institutions in Guangdong Province. Methods A total of 150 OME institutions were selected as the research subjects from Guangdong Province in 2023 using a random number table method. The on-site quality assessment was conducted by listening to reports, meeting discussion, on-site inspection, data review and human-machine assessment. The relevant assessment results were analyzed. Results Occupational disease prevention and treatment institutes (institutes, centers) and disease control and prevention centers (hereinafter referred to as "occupational prevention institutions"), public hospitals, and private institutions accounted for 8.7%, 51.3%, and 40.0% respectively. The top three categories of registered inspections were physical factors, chemical factors and dust, accounted for 98.0%, 96.7% and 96.0%, respectively, among the 150 OME institutions. A total of 1 063 rectification items were identified, and the average number of rectification items identified per occupational prevention institutions, public hospitals and private institutions was four, six and nine, respectively. The rectification rates of the four modules of quality assessment from high to low were OME work quality control, quality management system, organizational structure, and OME information reporting, accounted for 53.2%, 23.3%, 13.7% and 9.7%, respectively. The coincidence rate from high to low of occupational reporting of noise-exposure, dust-exposure, and other hazard-exposure was 92.5%, 91.1%, and 93.4%, respectively. The on-site failure rate of quality control director, technical director, chief physician, pneumoconiosis film reader, audiometry reader and pulmonary function examination operator accounted for 15.3%, 12.7%, 8.0%, 6.7%, 6.0% and 2.7%, respectively. Institutions capable of conducting registered and partially registered OME accounted for 90.7% and 6.0%, respectively. The five institutions that were unable to conduct registered OME were private institutions. A total of five private institutions were found to be suspected of illegal and irregular activities. Conclusion The problems of OME in the on-site quality assessment of OME institutions in Guangdong Province were mainly quality control. Private institutions had more prominent problems in various aspects. It is necessary to strengthen the training of key personnel such as technical directors, quality control directors, and chief physicians.